1. The Voice from the Gate
The throne that appeared within the heavenly rift was not merely a visible entity, but a force that made heads bow simply by being seen.
The green flames enveloping it did not burn stone or wood, but devoured sound itself. Every whisper vanished, every scream was extinguished, and only that deep, masculine voice remained, as though it came from the depths of the earth:
> "I have grown weary of waiting… small blood will not suffice for a balance of this magnitude."
Barnella staggered back a step, clutching her chest as if the voice pierced her heart.
Frank felt cold seeping through his veins, though the hall blazed around him.
As for the Emperor, he tried once more to raise his sword, but for the first time before his soldiers, his arm trembled.
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2. The Entity's Identity
The luminous woman faced the throne without flinching or faltering. She raised her hand, and a blue light flared, resisting the blaze of the green fire.
Her voice flowed like a hymn:
> "Throne of Valian… you are no ruler but a prisoner. For a millennium you have been bound by the balance of the gate. Your return means the ancient covenant has been broken."
The entity laughed, and the green fire flared even higher:
> "Prisoner? I am the Judge. I was entrusted with the Balance of Blood since the kingdom's dawn. And you… silent witness, all you bear are empty warnings."
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3. Frank Trembles
Frank clutched the stone, now pulsing faster—each beat a surge of lightning through his arm.
He remembered Ricard drowning in fire twenty years ago, his last scream echoing in his mind.
He could bear it no longer. His cry shook the hall:
> "If you are the Judge… then judge me alone! Take my blood and close the gate!"
The green flames turned toward him as though he alone was their prey.
But the entity slowly shook its head, invisible eyes piercing his soul:
> "Fool… your blood alone will not suffice. The balance of generations cannot be sealed by a single life."
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4. Dan's Confession
At that moment, Dan stepped forward slowly. His smile lingered, but his eyes were more serious than ever.
He raised the black dagger and spoke sharply:
> "Then let us end this quickly. I am the one who opened the gate. I knew the past would return, and I awaited it. If judgment requires blood… let it be mine!"
Everyone was stunned.
Barnella gasped, Frank nearly collapsed, even the Emperor widened his eyes in disbelief.
But Dan continued:
> "I did not open the gate in vain. I wanted the truth. I wanted the Judge to appear and condemn us all. And now he stands before us… I will not run."
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5. Clash of Wills
Ricard surged forward, shouting at Dan:
> "Liar! You are the reason for my death! Your blood will not restore anything!"
Dan looked back at him, this time with a sad smile:
> "Perhaps… but I am the only one unafraid of the end."
The luminous woman raised her hand, trying to halt the impending explosion:
> "Do not be hasty! Judgment is not decided by who screams loudest, but by whom the Balance itself chooses."
The green flames rippled around the throne, and once again the deep voice thundered:
> "The Balance has chosen… but it has not yet settled."
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6. The Emperor Faces the Throne
At last, the Emperor regained his composure. He stepped forward, the clang of his armor echoing against cracked stone:
> "I am the son of the throne. If you are an ancient Judge, then I am the ruler of the new age. This kingdom shall not bow before shadows of the past or your flames."
But the throne erupted with laughter that shook the hall, nearly bringing down the ceiling:
> "Son of the throne? You are but an heir on parchment. If you would prove your sovereignty… then lay your blood upon the Balance."
The soldiers froze in place. Some dropped their swords in terror.
The Emperor's face paled, yet he did not retreat.
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7. Barnella's Choice
Amid the chaos, Barnella stepped forward. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice weak yet unwavering:
> "Not Frank… not Dan… nor even the Emperor. I am the one who caused the tragedy when I remained silent. If blood is needed to close the gate… let it be mine."
Frank cried out:
> "No!"
But she did not stop. She stretched her hands toward the light, and the stone in Frank's grasp began to blaze brighter, as though responding to her.
The luminous woman whispered:
> "The pure heart… perhaps it is the weight the Balance has long lacked."
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8. The Moment of Explosion
Ricard shouted:
> "I will not allow it! No more blood!"
He hurled his shadowy form against Barnella before she could touch the light.
Dan raised his dagger, but the stone in Frank's hand erupted with a blinding flash.
The hall was flooded with green, white, and blue light all at once.
The ground split apart, pillars collapsed, and above the palace the sky itself widened into a gaping maw.
From the heart of the Green Throne, a new form began to emerge—a colossal body, half fire and half stone, its emerald eyes blazing like meteors.
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9. The Entity Incarnate
The throne was no longer a mere seat but the body of a vast being towering above all.
Its voice was now that of earthquakes:
> "The Balance has decided… no single soul will suffice. The blood of the brothers together… is the price."
Everyone froze.
Ricard stared at Frank.
Frank stared at Dan.
Dan smiled—but this time without mockery.
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10. The Cliffhanger
Before the decision could be sealed, a scream erupted outside the palace.
A soldier stumbled in, his body scorched, eyes wide with terror:
> "My lord! The villages… they are burning! The green fire has spilled from the gate and spreads across the kingdom!"
The colossal being raised its arms, green fire bursting skyward from its chest:
> "If the brothers' blood is not spilled tonight… then let the entire kingdom burn."
And in the final moment, Frank tightened his grip on the stone, Dan lifted his dagger, and Ricard stretched out his shadowed hand—
But who will choose the sacrifice?
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Curtain: End of Chapter Fifteen
It was no longer the choice of one, but the fate of all three brothers together.
The Green Throne had taken form, and the fire was devouring the kingdom.
The decision now rested upon a single heartbeat.